The Catholic Church's Influence in Bangladesh Outweighs its Minority Status

Fr. Das is the vicar of the Church of Our Lady of Guidance in the diocese of Barisal, where Christians live amidst an overwhelming Muslim majority, just like everywhere else in the country. In an interview published on January 22, 2018, he explained the conditions in which he exercises his ministry.

The priest says that the “prejudices towards Christians persist.” Christians are frequently despoiled: “land grabbing, which is the practice with which some Muslims steal the land of Christians with violence, through threats and intimidation” is common. 

The contributions of Catholics, however, in the field of education, health, and charitable works is still widely recognized and appreciated. Some of the best schools are those run by the Church.

For the time being, the Church urgently needs the State to “grant visas to missionaries coming from abroad” “to allow…donations from abroad,” and to put an end to “injustice and violence” against Catholics.